Two men arrested in Phuket drug bust

Two men were arrested on March 21 after police searched their grocer’s shop and found kratom leaves, guns and ammunition.

At 12:30pm, Phuket Provincial police went undercover and headed to the scene in Moo 6, Srisoonthon, after receiving a tip off that the shop had been smuggling kratom leaves and selling it around the Tung Seurkhuwn community.

Police raided the shop, searching for drugs. They found the bags of kratom leaves hidden inside a cardboard box.

Police arrested the shop owner, Somyot Panumpai, 48, for possession of 54 bags weighing a total of two kilos. He was taken to Phuket Provincial police station and charged with possession of a Category 5 drug.

Somyot told police the kratom leaves belonged to him. He would then package them into smaller bags ready to be sold to his clients, at B100 per bag.

Somyot said he bought the kratom leaves from a man named Orn. He paid B3,000 for two kilos, which Orn dropped off yesterday morning (March 21).

While police searched the shop and rooms, they also arrested Isara Panumpai, 25, who was sat in one of the bedrooms.

Isara admitted that all the items belonged to him and now faces being charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell, as well as possession of illegal firearms and ammunitions without permission.

Both suspects were taken to Phuket Provincial police station to face their charges.